Faith Feet for Generations

I am not sure how often we consider/look at the the outflow of faith or lack there of from generation to generation.

John Wesley once said:

“What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.”

I believe we could further that quote:

“What one generation embraces, the next generation will take to an extreme.”

In our text today, Abraham will be challenged to put feet to his faith.

He will be called out from all he knows.

He will be exhorted to leave behind all he has experienced, including his gods.

He will need to faith enough to go, to continue, to remain, and to exemplify.

Let’s spend this time grabbing his example and the way it may become practical to us.

Hebrews 11:8–10 ESV

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

What does Faith Feet for Generations Look Like?

Instant Obedience!

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.

You see, in the Greek, “when he was called” is a present passive participle.

It could have easily been translated, “when he was being called”.

So here, we have the idea of Abraham getting to work at what God had called him to do with out a delay.

You see…faith feet do not delay.

They recognize there is no need for delay for we are in the hands of the one who prepares us for the task at hand...

The difficulty of life holds no sway, but the recognition of the person and position of God does...

Habakkuk 3:18–19 (ESV)

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places...

I have to believe that Sarah may have been looking at Abram with fear, or may drudgery, or maybe even animus…as he was instant in his efforts to fulfill his calling.

We must realize that the generations after him would remember from whence he was called:

Isaiah 51:1–2 (ESV)

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.

There is a drive that comes from recognizing the grace of God’s calling when we strive to follow His charge.

Joshua 24:2 ESV

2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.

God reminded Israel, through Joshua, of the fullness of His gracious and effectual calling upon their ancestors…they were called out of idol worship into a relationship with the Yahweh.

Generational faith change is a willingness to enter the place of God’s directing in spite and because of the position from which one was called.

Instant obedience is a sign of the inward change...

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let’s be real church… we live in an instant gratification world.

It’s why people post things on social media and then go back and check rather quickly how many people and which people liked their post.

We want things to happen immediately.

God’s Word speaks of growing in your salvation, but there is also the understanding of an immediate transition.

Maybe you have heard the comedian John Crist’s favorite saying: “check your heart.”

And yes, he says that tongue in cheek, but God desires our heart.

I love what John MacArthur says about this idea, “Worldliness is not so much what we do as what we want to do. It is not determined so much by what our actions are as by where our heart is...”

1 John 2:15 ESV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

How Does Faith Feet for Generations Remain?

Resilient Constitution!

Hebrews 11:8 (ESV)

8 By faith Abraham ... And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

What we know from vs. 8:

He went.

He went without knowledge of where

He went without knowledge of when

Hebrews 11:9 (ESV)

9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

What we know from vs. 9:

He went with promise

He lived in a foreign place

He lived without permanent structure

He waited for generations

He never saw the earthly promise fulfilled.

Ask yourself a question this morning:

“If God told me to do something particular without details of the outcome would I be willing to do it?”

In case you think God only worked this way in the Bible, William Carey went to India as a missionary. In 1800, he departed and it was seven years before he saw his first convert. Could we stay and be faithful? Would we start to wonder if we had truly heard the voice of God? Would we start to question God’s faithfulness? Carey worked so others could harvest. He translated the Word, he remained faithful, he took up a secular trade (indigo growing) for the purpose of supporting the work, and he stayed against humanly/spiritual odds… he stayed when others would have long retreated.

The level of our modern patience is quite small. I recall living in NOLA and seeing people make lanes in the median and grass when they were tired of waiting in traffic for 15-20 minutes.

Our human nature does not like to wait.

James 5:7–8 ESV

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Let’s get close to home for a second… would we be willing to remain faithful and pray until the Lord brings the harvest.

But God!… He calls us to 1) Instant Obedience, 2) Resilient Constitution, &

How Do We Flesh Out Faith Feet for Generations?

Upward Focus!

Where is your focus this morning?

What has your attention?

Where is your heart?

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

He is waiting with anticipation, like a child who has the hope and excitement of a promised reward.

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

You see, it is the idea of looking forward to the dwelling place of God.

One is longing to see the Lord, looking forward to seeing Him, not digging his tent posts too deep.

In essence, he is not so entangled with the world that he cannot go where the Lord sends.

He has a home, but he is not there yet.

We have a home, but we are not there yet.

Walking Away, But In...

Are you & I willing to do…Whatever!

Are you & I resolute… No Matter!

Are you & I looking to Him… Perpetually!